News Archive

The Spending Review 2020 speech as delivered by Chancellor Rishi Sunak

On Monday, the Prime Minister set out the action we need to take between now and the start of December to control the spread of coronavirus.   Mr Speaker, Today's Spending Review delivers on the priorities of the British people.  

Coronavirus pushes the budget deficit to almost £400 billion

From the Office for Budget Responsibility.   Coronavirus has caused our economy to shrink 11 per cent this year - the largest drop in over 300 years.  

National Infrastructure Strategy

The National Infrastructure Strategy sets out plans to transform UK infrastructure in order to level up the country, strengthen the Union and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.   Read the papers HERE.  

Update to 2020-21 government financing remit

Following the publication of the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR's) Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO), the UK Debt Management Office's (DMO's) 2020-21 financing remit has been revised.   This follows on from the last revision to the DMO’s financing remit for 2020-21, published on 16 July 2020, which laid out planned gilt sales of £385 billion up to end-November 2020.  

Reaction to the Spending review -Expert comment from Salford University

Actions being offered less ambitious than the scale of the problems being faced Brexit the ‘elephant in the room' Experts from the University of Salford Business School give their thoughts after Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced his spending review in the House of Commons on Wednesday 25th November 2020 Dr Gordon Fletcher, expert in retail and the economy, said:"The Chancellor's spending reviews statement does not make easy reading.  His own use of the term, 'economic emergency' provides the headlines against a predicted contraction in the economy, unemployment reaching 7.5% next year and government debt nearly rising to match GDP in five years’ time.  

Supporting exporting businesses for EU exit

A pricing regime has been agreed in Highland for the provision of Export Health Certificates which will be required by UK businesses from 1 January 2021 to export products of animal origin to the EU.   Chair of The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee Cllr Allan Henderson welcomed the work carried out to date by Council officers in supporting exporting businesses to the EU, he said: "The Environmental Health Team has a very important role in providing certification for Highland businesses exporting animal products to the EU.  

Royal Bank warns of increased scam threat this Black Friday

Designer clothes, trainers and mobile phones - top three reported scams.   Facebook Marketplace one of the most reported for scams.  

Spending Review 2020 and Scotland by Fraser of Allender Institute

The 2020 Spending Review was underpinned by the anticipated ‘scary' numbers on the UK economy and public finances.   The economy will shrink 11% this year, and recover only about half that ground next year.  

Flagship Fisheries Bill Becomes Law

The Fisheries Bill receives Royal Assent after 10 months in Parliament On 23 November 2020 the UK's first major domestic fisheries legislation in nearly 40 years passed into law.  The Fisheries Act 2020 gives the UK full control of its fishing waters for the first time since 1973.  

Capital Gains Tax Changes That Self Assessment Customers Need To Know

HMRC customers have until 31 January 2021 to declare any profit made from selling a UK residential property, which was not their main home, during the 2019 to 2020 financial year, and pay the Capital Gains Tax due.   Time is running out for anyone who sold a second home during 2019 to 2020 to declare it on their Self Assessment tax return.